Flu cases spur visitor restrictions at N.J. hospital

JERSEY CITY — Concern about the growing number of flu cases has spurred a northern New Jersey hospital to temporarily impose restrictions on who can visit patients.

Jersey City Medical Center says anyone exhibiting flulike symptoms and all children will be kept away from patients under the rules that took effect Saturday and will continue "indefinitely."

Hospital spokesman Mark Rabson tells The Jersey Journal that the rules were put in place to protect all patients.

New Jersey health officials are reporting moderate or high levels of flu activity throughout the state's 21 counties. Rabson says 50 percent of the emergency-room cases at Jersey City Medical Center are patients diagnosed with flulike symptoms.